A5078944121- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Rural development and sustainability
- Forest Management and Policy
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Flood Risk Assessment and Management
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research
- Coastal and Marine Management
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- melanin and skin pigmentation
- Urbanization and City Planning
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Urban Green Space and Health
- Economic and Environmental Valuation
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Hydrology and Watershed Management Studies
- Urban Development and Cultural Heritage
Universidade do Porto
2013-2024
Mykolas Romeris University
2012-2024
University of Évora
2003-2023
Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos
2019
Reptiles use pterin and carotenoid pigments to produce yellow, orange, red colors. These conspicuous colors serve a diversity of signaling functions, but their molecular basis remains unresolved. Here, we show that the genomes sympatric color morphs European common wall lizard ( Podarcis muralis ), which differ in orange yellow pigmentation ecology behavior, are virtually undifferentiated. Genetic differences restricted two small regulatory regions near genes associated with [ sepiapterin...
<p>The sustainability of life on Earth is under increasing threat due to human-induced climate change. This perilous change in the Earth's caused by increases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases atmosphere, primarily emissions associated with burning fossil fuels. Over next two three decades, effects change, such as heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, storms, floods, are expected worsen, posing greater risks human health global stability. These trends call for implementation...
Abstract The application of DNA metabarcoding to dietary analysis trophic generalists requires using multiple markers in order overcome problems primer specificity and bias. However, limited attention has been given the integration information from markers, particularly when they partly overlap taxa amplified, vary taxonomic resolution biases. Here, we test use a mix universal specific provide criteria integrate multi‐marker data python script implement such produce single list ingested per...
Sexual dichromatism, a difference in coloration between males and females, may be due to sexual selection for ornamentation mate choice. Here, we show that carotenoid-based dichromatism mosaic canaries, hybrid phenotype arises offspring of the sexually dichromatic red siskin monochromatic is controlled by gene encodes carotenoid-cleaving enzyme β-carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO2). Dichromatism canaries explained differential carotenoid degradation integument, rather than sex-specific variation...
Nature-based solutions (NBS) can act as a valuable complement to conventional 'grey' infrastructure for stormwater management (e.g. dams and dikes) in reducing flood risks, these 'green' are perceived be more flexible multifunctional. However, achieve effective NBS, multi-actor approach developing appropriate measures specific sites is required, NBS occupy space than often overlap with private land. also necessitate multidisciplinary approach, maximise environmental, social economic...
The southern Iberian Peninsula is dominated by a savannah-like ecosystem, the montado, which typically Mediterranean cultural adaptation to generally poor productive areas. Montados are exploited for three main uses: forestry, agriculture, and extensive grazing, in proportions that vary according local conditions (more or less land) historical circumstances. Because these ecosystems occur over large geographic area (they occupy some 6 million ha), biodiversity would be expected among...
Abstract Aim Identification of priority conservation areas and evaluation coverage the current protected are urgently needed to halt biodiversity loss. Identifying regions combining similar environmental traits (climate regions) species assemblages (biogroups) is for conserving patterns processes. We identify climate biogroups map diversity across Sahara‐Sahel, a large geographical area that exhibits wide heterogeneity multiple groups with distinct biogeographical affinities, evaluate level...
The environmental degradation observed in the last decades has triggered governments and international institutions to take action halt biodiversity loss. For this, natural capital assessment is essential. System of Environmental Economic Accounting-Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA-EA) was established by United Nations (UN) as a global standard for integrating economic statistical data. Nevertheless, only some attempts were made identify where this approach conducted. In study, we systematically...
Quaternary climatic oscillations and geographic barriers have strongly influenced the distribution diversification of thermophilic species occurring in Mediterranean Basin. The Western pond turtle, Mauremys leprosa, is widely distributed throughout Iberian Peninsula, southern France most Maghreb region, with two subspecies currently recognized. In this work, we used 566 samples, including 259 new individuals, across range, sequenced mitochondrial markers (cytochrome b gene control region;...
Fires are important but socially and economically unwanted disturbances of the ecosystems. They cannot be considered as a problem, they global phenomena. Protected areas created to protect biodiversity, strict protection is often applied, forgetting that fire had shaped we aim protect. This harsh producing changes in protected habitats increasing their vulnerability destructive wildfires. Thus, it major interest incorporate management plan, including (re)use prescribed traditional burning...
Abstract Aim Climatic fluctuations in northern Africa substantially changed the extent of Sahara desert and Saharan species’ ranges. Yet, region contained areas climatic stability. We test hypothesis that Atlantic was a stable corridor, connecting ecoregions, for spiny‐footed lizard Acanthodactylus aureus . Location Africa, coastal desert. Methods combined ecological modelling phylogeographic population genetic analyses. Ecological models past current conditions were used to predict...
Abstract Aim Allele surfing remains poorly investigated in empirical studies due to a lack of explicit methods detect it natural populations. Here, we introduce spatially explicit, sliding‐window method test hypotheses on how range expansions and geographic barriers impact neutral genetic structure using allele frequency data. We then use this approach study the Ibero‐Moroccan lineage European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis occidentalis , which recolonized Iberian Peninsula from Africa....
Parrots produce stunning plumage colors through unique pigments called psittacofulvins. However, the mechanism underlying their ability to generate a spectrum of vibrant yellows, reds, and greens remains enigmatic. We uncover unifying chemical basis for wide range parrot colors, which result from selective deposition red aldehyde- yellow carboxyl-containing psittacofulvin molecules in developing feathers. Through genetic mapping, biochemical assays, single-cell genomics, we identified...
The narrow Strait of Gibraltar has separated the African and European continents since Miocene (5.3 Mya), with a different degree permeability for Mediterranean taxa. Southern northern regions Iberian Peninsula Morocco, respectively, are key areas to evaluate colonization dynamics biogeographic history taxa occurring at both sides this strait. Ibero-Maghrebian subspecies pond turtle, Emys orbicularis occidentalis , is patchily distributed threatened throughout most Morocco its origin thought...